10 Ways to Make Your Bad Days Better

Happiness isn’t always an easy thing to find or cultivate. I know. I’ve been on both sides. I come from a long line of women with eating disorders and depression. I have battled mild versions of both most of my adult life. That’s the reason this blog exists, because I made a commitment to cultivating a healthy and happy life, one moment at a time. So here I am to give you some tips on what to do when the grey clouds of your mind won’t part, and maybe it seems easier to just stay in bed all day than face the world.

There are some kinds of mental darkness that can not be cured by internet lists and a healthy lifestyle. There are some kinds of mental darkness that need professional care and medicine. I do not want to ignore that or claim that this list will cure those kinds of days. (And I might add that there is no shame in needing outside help. I’m a big advocate for therapy.)

So I’m not saying what comes next will cure you, but it sure does help me. It’s the list I go back to when I’m in a funk. It’s the list I go back to when I wake up with anxiety. It’s the list I go back to when the skies are grey and my SAD kicks in. It’s the list that gets me out of bed each and every morning. It’s a good resource for when my brain feels lost. I hope it can be a guide for your mind/heart too. I hope it can lighten up the darkness.

10 Ways to Make Your Bad Days Better

1. Get out of bed.

Just do it. Pretend you have an important meeting to get to, even if you have nothing on the books that day. Just get out of bed. Your problems won’t go away if you sit with them all day. Find any reason at all to get up and stay up. Don’t crawl back into bed, no matter how comforting it looks.

2. Eat breakfast.

And don’t skimp. Don’t sluff by with some dry toast or a piece of fruit. Have a MEAL. That means protein + fat + carbs. The fruit and veggies you add are just extra bonuses for the day. But they don’t count as your meal. This will give you energy, and energy may lead to a better outlook. Recently, I’ve been obsessed with scrambling eggs with ghee, and serving it with avocado and naan. It’s the perfect well-rounded start to the day.

3. Exercise.

You may hate exercise always, or you may just hate it today. I don’t care. Maybe exercising means getting outside and walking around, maybe it means a HIIT workout at your gym, maybe it means a yoga class, or a spin class, or whatever. I don’t care. Just do at least 30 minutes of it. Walk around for 30 minutes. Anyone can do that. The 30 minutes gives your brain enough time to process what is happening and produce endorphins. You want those. Those make you happy. Those part grey skies.

4. Put on your favorite outfit.

Force yourself into an outfit you know makes you feel good. We all have that never-fail outfit. Put it on. Maybe put a little makeup on and brush your hair. Even if your plan is to stay at home all day, you should still do it. It will boost your confidence and help prevent you from crawling back into bed.

5. Drink lots of water.

Water is our body’s main nutrient. We need it to stay alive; it regulates our organs. And since our brain is an organ that also sends signals we call emotions, why couldn’t water help regulate those too? This isn’t science, but it makes sense to me. Water helps us all feel balanced and hydrated. It’s also just an activity/goal to have for the day. So drink up. Fill your body with the good stuff.

6. Buy yourself a treat.

I don’t mean buying that $200 dress you have wanted from Free People’s website. A treat should be small. It should be something you don’t do often, but will get you excited. For me these things are often: a new nail polish, new lipstick, a soy latte, some cheap underwear or a fashion magazine. They are small tokens of affection for yourself from yourself.

7. Put on your favorite album.

Do you wanna listen to that mixed CD from high school you made when you broke up with your first boyfriend? Do you wanna listen to the new Beach House album? Do you wanna listen to Backstreet Boys? I don’t care if you want to cry, or dance or sing or scream or meditate. Just put on what your heart is calling you toward. You can change your mind. Just play it loud and proud. Maybe even listen to it with the lights off and some candles on. (If you don’t know what to listen to, I suggest my Happier Playlist!)

8. Know when to phone a friend.

I’m an introvert at heart who needs alone time to collect myself and my thoughts. However I sometimes hit a wall in my own mind where I am spinning into no-good thoughts. Those are the moments to call on someone else. Someone you trust. Just get into a room with another body. It won’t matter if you talk or not. Having someone else in those moments will help you forget about yourself. Make them tell you a story. Make them tell you a joke. Or open up to them and talk about what is going on inside your head. Do what feels right. Remember that people like to help others. You aren’t a burden for asking for help.

9. Eat REAL food.

Don’t give into the “I’m having a bad day so I can eat this carton of ice cream or this bag of greasy chips.” I repeat: DON’T DO IT. You will feel worse after. Food doesn’t solve your problems. But it can help you, if you let it. Try to make a meal packed with plants and maybe some grains. Avoid processed food and sugar. 80-90% of the serotonin in your body is produced in the lining of your stomach. So the happier your stomach is, the happier you are. Nourishing your body nourishes your mind and helps get rid of those grey clouds.

10. Do something creative.

Maybe that is making dream catchers, or trying a new recipe, or making a DIY wall art, or even just making a Pinterest board full of ideas for future creative projects. My current favorite project to have on hand is a good puzzle! Whatever it is, make it yours and make it without judgment. This isn’t to show off to mom and dad or for a grade, this is for your and your brain to take a break from you and your brain. It’s a breathing exercise for your thoughts.

I hope some/any/all of that helps some/any/all of you. Know that my heart is with yours today. And know that if you are having a grey day, there is light – other people just might be carrying it for you for the moment. But you will get it back. Happiness is just around the corner.